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reduction in US aid under Trump.
The US is considering transferring cluster munitions to Ukraine. The Biden administration is considering increasing support for Ukraine, writes the WP. According to the publication, the possibility of supplying Ukraine with cluster ammunition for multiple rocket launcher systems is being considered. "There is growing support in Washington for the provision of rocket-propelled cluster munitions that can hit targets further than the artillery versions that the United States began supplying last month," the analytical review said. The WP also writes that the United States is working diligently to create a Ukrainian "power of the future" that could deter subsequent Russian aggression. F-16 fighters will begin arriving in Ukraine in a few months and will be part of this concept. Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced new defense packages for Ukraine, decisions on which will be made in September. The president noted that the package will include artillery, armored vehicles, anti-aircraft defense, missiles, and means for demining.
Ukraine to receive 42 F-16 fighter jets. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Aug. 20 that Ukraine would receive 42 US-made F-16 fighter jets.
Danish Prime Minister: Ukraine to receive first batch of F-16s before New Year. Denmark plans to supply Ukraine with the first batch of six F-16 fighter jets out of 19 promised before the New Year, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced during a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelensky on Aug. 20 at the Skrydstrup airbase.
Zelensky says Ukraine needs 160 F-16 fighter jets. Kyiv has agreed with allies on the supply of 50-60 U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview published on Aug. 30. However, Ukraine needs around 160 planes "to have a powerful air force that prevents Russia from dominating the airspace," Zelensky told the Portuguese public broadcaster RTP.
Ukrainian pilots to complete F-16 training no earlier than next summer. The first Ukrainian pilots to undergo F-16 jet fighter training will not be ready to fly them until summer 2024, the Washington Post reported on Aug. 11, citing Ukrainian government and military officials.
US to start training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s in October. The U.S. will start training Ukrainians to fly and maintain F-16 fighter jets in October following an English-language course for pilots, Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder announced on Aug. 24.
Portugal to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s. Portugal has confirmed that it will join the international efforts to train Ukrainian pilots and technicians on F-16 fighter jets, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Aug. 24, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine.
Norwegian PM confirms F-16 pledge to Ukraine. Norway will allocate two jets immediately for Ukrainian pilots to train on, but the government has yet to work out the total number of aircraft it can send Ukraine, Støre said at a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
No plans to provide Swedish-made fighter jets to Ukraine. There are no
16 UKRAINE Country Report September 2023 www.intellinews.com